Patrick Purcell settled the Purcell centennial farm in 1863 (see 1873 plat map section 31). This farm is located in the East half of the SW quarter of section 31 (1890 plat map above left). The farm was registered as a centennial farm in 1969 (1955 plat map above right). A recent satellite image shows the farm, which is located at 6226 Purcell Road. The old Illinois Central Railroad, now the Badger State Trail runs diagonally through this property on the southwest corner of Fitchburg.